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The character of mass transit in central Texas appears to be part
'maverick'.
Yesterday by phone the new Director of Rail Operations for Capital
Metro, Bill LeJeune, clarified the issue of a possible MetroRail
station at 51st Street for us. There won't be one any time soon.
(Nor, for now, at 53rd or Hancock as many of you all recommended.)
He also said he's ordered the sub-contractors who built the 52nd
Street switch which would shunt southbound trains towards a Clarkson
siding to change that switch to shunt trains instead towards Airport,
as a temporary "lockout derail" to "keep runaway trains from
operational zones." By which he means we won't get a siding either; yet.
We did learn a acronym used by the new MetroRail pros. Those Swiss-
built trains which will carry passengers to and from Leander are
called DMUs (Diesel Multiple Units). In our case, they are two bright
red and silver commuter cars sharing a diesel engine. Hey Ma, look, a
DMU!
Most useful was what the Director told us about the 51st Street
crossing. He said any day now the city will install a stop light at
Clarkson and 51st. He anticipates "a replicating signal" about a
minute in advance of the arrival of a train which will stop eastbound
vehicles on 51st Street at Clarkson before they get to the railroad
tracks. This will give vehicles between that light and Airport a
chance to "clear the intersection." We'll see "quad gates", two arms
on each side of the tracks to keep vehicles from going around a
single arm, at the 51st Street crossing "very soon."
Mr. LeJeune generously offered to take questions from or meet with
neighborhood groups. (Maybe it's not too late to approach him about
pedestrian-friendly sidewalks at the crossing.) For now, we'll know
to anticipate some traffic delays at the 51st Street crossing when
construction gets underway. Indeed, there may be many delays on 51st
once the DMUs start running.
Pam and I had approached Capital Metro about this train business
because it's happening virtually in our front yard. (No complaints.
We like trains. And we're curious.) We'll relay whatever we learn to
the list(s). Beyond that, Community/Neighborhood organizers should
contact Bill LeJeune or Andrea Lofye, Chief Executive Vice President.
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